Cow's milk allergic children can present sensitisation to probiotics.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate sensitivity to different probiotics in children with cow's milk allergy.


METHODS
Eighty-five patients (age range: 4 months -12 years) presenting atopic dermatitis (AD) were enrolled. Skin prick test (SPT) responses to three different probiotics preparations (Fiorilac, Dicoflor and Reuterin) were evaluated in addition to relevant food allergens.


RESULTS
Thirty-nine patients out of 85 (45.8%) had a positive skin response to prick test for cow's milk (3 with reaction <3 mm). Of the thirty-six patients with a cow's milk weal reaction >3 mm, twenty-eight (77.8%) had a skin response to Fiorilac, four patients (11%) to Dicoflor and four (11%) to Reuterin. The proportion of SPT reaction to all the investigated probiotics preparations was significantly lower than cow's milk (r = 9.406; p = 0.002). A significantly higher sensitization was observed for Fiorilac versus Dicoflor (r = 30.916; p < 0.001) and versus Reuterin (r = 34.133; p < 0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
Probiotic use in patients with cow's milk allergy has to be limited to products that do not contain milk. This should be clearly reported in the label. In selected patients, it is advisable to perform a screening SPT with the product to evaluate its potential contamination with milk.
Bruni
Francesca M
FM
Department of Pediatrics, University of Verona, Italy.
Piacentini
Giorgio L
GL
Peroni
Diego G
DG
Bodini
Alessandro
A
Fasoli
Erica
E
Boner
Attilio L
AL
D000818:Animals; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003876:Dermatitis, Atopic / Q000150:complications* / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008892:Milk / Q000009:adverse effects*; D016269:Milk Hypersensitivity / Q000150:complications* / Q000276:immunology*; D019936:Probiotics / Q000009:adverse effects*